Pfizer shuffles management after executive's exit

Bloomberg NewsTwo Pfizer executives got new job responsibilities today after David Simmons, head of the drug maker's established products business unit, said he was leaving to become chief executive of PPD, a privately held global contract research organization.

Pfizer said Olivier Brandicourt would become the new president and general manager of emerging markets and the company’s established business products.

Brandicourt, who has held senior management positions at Pfizer, will succeed David Simmons who announced today he was leaving to become chief executive of Pharmaceutical Product Development Inc., a global contract research organization. Simmons helped to create Pfizer’s established business products unit.

Brandicourt, who has experience on the medical and marketing side of Pfizer’s business, has served in management roles around the world, including Latin America and Europe.

Pfizer, which has its headquarters in New York City and maintains a large presence in New Jersey, also announced that John Young, who has spent 25 years at the company, will become president and general manager of the primary care business unit. Young, who is currently the regional president of the primary care business in Europe and Canada, will also become a member of Pfizer’s executive leadership team.

“We are fortunate to have such a deep bench of talented leaders who can quickly assume new roles and maintain our momentum,’’ CEO Ian Read said in a written statement announcing the moves.